Sighting device for guns



May 13, 1930.

J. BECKER ET AL SIGHTING DEVICE FOR GUNS Filed July 28, 1927 5 SheetsSheet 1 W *3 5 CC) ilm-w May 13, 1930. J. BECKER Er AL 1,758,273

SIGHTING DEVICE FOR GUNS Filed July 28. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fhi maww

May 13, 1930. J. BECKER m" AL 1,758,273

SIGHTING DEVICE FOR GUNS v Filed July 28, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J [I I 4 I N w umum u l l I K K m y, iZZEQMETF-HVAL U*\%STRUMENTS' May 13, 1930. J. BECKER ET L 1,758,273

SIGHTINGDEVICE FOR GUNS Filed July 28, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W 1 a" I11 R ass-at x wsraumem's.

Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES JULIUS BECKER, HEINRICH JUST, AND HERMANN HOB/1, OF ESSEN, GERMANY, AS-

SIGNORS TO FRIED. KRUPP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, F ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR,

GERMANY SIGHTING DEVICE FOR GUNS Application filed July 28, 1927, Serial No. 209,119, and in Germany July 30, 1926.

The invention relates to sighting devices for guns, in which the carrier of the sighting means is cardanically suspended in such a way, to overcome the disturbing influence exerted by the inclination of the horizontal trunnions on the lateral direction, that the sighting line may be fixed in space as to its direction unaffected by the motions of the gun-base.

The subject matter of the invention pertains to a sighting device of this type to be employed for adjusting the elevation of the gun-barrel corresponding to the distance of the aim, which at the same time eliminates the error that occurs due to the inclination of the horizontal trunnions in elevating the gun-barrel.

In the accompanying drawings two embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are illustrated which are intended to be applied to naval guns. Figs. 1 to 6 refer to the first embodiment, in which the sighting device is assumed to be mounted on the gun itself, while Figs. 7 to 12 relate to the other embodiment, in which the sighting device is arranged on an observing stand situated at a distant point from the gun, and connected to the latter in a known manner, by an electric telemetric device. In particular:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a naval gun fitted wtih the sighting device; further shown in enlarged scale.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the sighting device and of the neighbouring parts of the gun.

Fig. 3 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1 of a detail of the device.

Fig. 4 is the top view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 1, seen from the left.

Fig. 6 is a portion of the elevation shown in Fig. 1 with a different adjustment of the gun-barrel and of the sighting device, some parts being omitted.

Fig. 7 which relates to the second embodiment, shows a pedestal adapted to rotate on the observing stand around a vertical axis, in a section through its axis of rotation.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 7 seen from above.

Fig. 9 is a view, seen from the side opposite to that of Fig. 7, of a portion of the sighting device.

Fig. 10 is a section on line 1010 of Fig. 9, seen from the left, and, in enlarged scale.

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 8, seen from the right.

The first embodiment (Figs. 1 to 6) will be described first. A denotes the gun-barrel which may shift, when fired, in a known manner in a cradle B, mounted on the carriage C by means of two horizontal trunnions 72 To impart the elevation corresponding to the range of the target, an elevating gear is provided having a toothed are 6 fixed on the cradle B engaged by a pinion D mounted on the carriage C which is actuated by means of a hand-wheel D The carriage may be turned about on a platform by means of a traversing gear equipped with a handwheel E (Fig. 1).

On one of the two horizontal trunnions b there is rigidly fixed a forlnshaped frame F, on which is mounted an intermediate member in the form of a circular ring G by means of two co-axial pivots f (Figs. 2, 5 and 6), the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel. A casing H serving as a bearing member for the gyroscope J (Fig. 5), is mounted on this ring G for free swinging motion by means of two pivots k rigid 0n the casing H, the axis of which pivots rectangularly intersects the axis of the pivots 7. The gyroscope, driven by an electric motor (not shown), may rotate around an axis to be fixed by the gyroscope action in vertical direction, in the casing H (Fig. 5), which, according to the foregoing, is cardan ically mounted on the frame F by the intermediary of the ring G, this axis passing through the point of intersection of the axes of the pivots f and 7L1 and being normal to the axis of the pivots 72. The casing further carries, in a manner described herein after, by the intermediary of one of the pivots /L a sighting telescope H adapted to be adjusted in lateral direction. As to these parts the arrangement is substantially of known design.

Now, according to the invention, an adjusting member is mounted for rotation on the pivots 7&1 between the Carda-n ring G and the gyroscope casing H, which member may be adjusted relatively to the Cardan ring G and consists, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4c, substantially of an annular piece K arranged recta-ngularly to the axis of rotation, and of two fork pieces K rigid thereon and located opposite each other and embracing the gyroscope casing H. The two fork pieces K, which are displaced in relation to each other 3), are rigidly connected to one another at the ends of their fork arms by hearing plates 76 by means of which they are mounted on the pivots k To adjust the adjusting member K K a pinion L is mounted on an arm g of the Cardan ring G, which pinion is in mesh with a toothed are c fixed on one of the fork pieces K. The weight of the toothed arc is compensated for by a. counter-weight 71* fixed on the other fork piece K A scale 73 graduated according to the distance of the aim is provided on the toothed are, for determining the firing angles corresponding to the range of the target, which distance may be read oil by means of a pointer mark 9 arranged on the arm 9 A small electric motor (not shown), which is controlled from the gun platform, is provided for actuating the pinion L to adjust the range of the target which eliminates disturbing influences on the position of the gyroscope casing in adjusting the distance of the aim. The pivot 7L remote from the carriage projects beyond the Cardan ring G and carries on its free end a disk 72. rigid thereon, on which the sighting telescope H is mounted to be swung in lateral direction around an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the gyroscope J, in order to allow for the lateral deviation of the projectiles or for the wind conditions and similar infinences. For the adjustment of the telescope a small electric motor (not shown) is provided similar to the one for the pinion L. In its mean position, the sighting line, which extends rectangularly to the swing axis of the telescope. extends rectangularly to the plane determined by the axis of the gyroscope and that of the pivots 7L1. Beside the annular piece K there is fixed 011 the gyroscope casing H a pointer 72. having an adjusting mark, the arrangement being so chosen, thatthe adjusting mark of the pointer h registers with an adjusting mark provided on the annular piece K of the adjusting member K, K when the latter is being adjusted relatively to the Cardan ring G, for instance in such a manner, that the pointer mark 9 registers with the line of the scale 7,2 that corresponds to the value zero of the range of the target, and that the Cardan ring Gr together with the adjusting member K K is turned into an angular position relatively to the gyroscope casing H, in which the axis of the pivots f is parallel to the mean position of the sighting line.

After the lateral ustment oi the sighting telescope 151 relative to the gyroscope casing H has been performed and the lateral direction has been imparted to the gun by rotating the hand-wheel E, the sighting telescope H arranged on the casing H, and therewith the sighting line, is pointed in elevation at the target. Under the action of the gyroscope J permanently runnin during the pointing operation, the sighting line remains pointed at the aim for a sufficient period of time unatl'ected by the rolling motion of the ship. To adjust the sighting device to the firing angle corresponding to the range of the target, the toothed are 711 is rocked by such an amount, by means of the pinion L actuated by the electric motor connected thereto, that the division line of the scale if which corresponds to the range of the target registers with the pointer mark 9 The adjusting member K K then assumes, with the gun-barrel in loading position, about the position to be seen from Fig. 1. In case the position of the gyroscope casing H, carrying the sighting telescope, should undergo a little change upon adjusting the adjusting member K K the initial. position may be restored in known manner by exerting a slight pressure upon the Cardan ring G. Now the elevation is imparted to the gun-barrel, if required, by means of the elevating gear D D 7), so that, with the rolling motion of the ship which motion causes within determined limits an alteration of the elevation of the gun-barrel, the adjusting mark 70 of the adjusting member K K is able to swing past the adjusting mark of the pointer 7L arranged on the stabilized gyroscope casing. At that moment, when tl e two adjusting marks is" and it are opposite each other, the gun-barrel has the correct elevation. If the gun is equipped, as it may be presumed, with an electric firing device or" a type such as to cause the projectile to leave the mouth of the gun-barrel at this instant, then all conditions for the correct pointing in elevation are fulfilled. The error in lateral direction due to the varying inclination oi the axis of the horizontal trunnions, may be compensated for without further ado in known manner by suitably operating the training gear. As with the described sighting device the adjustment of the firing angle INST? UMENTEE.

corresponding to the range does not take place in a plane extending rectangularly to the axis of the horizontal trunnions and thus deviating from the vertical position when the ship rolls, but in a plane extending rectangularly to the inner Cardan axis (axis of the pivot 7A and is thus fixed in vertical position by the gyroscope, the errors being compensated for, which are due to the inclination of the axis of the horizontal trunnions in the ve1= tical direction and which must not be neglected with greater elevations.

In the embodiment according to Figs. 7 to 11, the sighting device is supported on a pedestal M of an observing stand located at a distance away from the ships gun which is to be. aimed, and is rotatable around a vertical axis parallel to the training axis of the gun. A traversing gear having a hand-wheel. E corresponding to the hand-wheel E of the first embodiment, serves to rotate the pedestal. The pedestal M carries a bearing ring m rigidly connected to it, in which an annular member B is adapted to rotate around an axis that is arranged rectangularly to the axis of rotation of the pedestal. This annular member corresponds to the horizontal trunnions 6 carrying the sighting device, of the first embodiment. The traversing gear of the pedestal M is in connection with the transmitter N, designated for coarse and fine adjustment, which is connected by a long distance wiring system with a receiver control ling the traversing gear of the gun, so that the gun-carriage can be adjusted to an angular position in which the axis of the horizontal trunnions is parallel to the axis of rotation of the trunnion ring B rotatable in the bearing ring m mounted on pedestal M. The ring B is fitted on its outer edge with teeth 5 with which a pinion D is in mesh corresponding to the pinion D of the first embodiment. Its shaft carries a hand-wheel D A Cardan ring G corresponding to the Cardan ring G of the first embodiment is mounted for tree swinging motion on the ring B by means of two pivots g corresponding to the pivots of the first embodiment, the axis of the Cardan ring passing at right angles through the axis of rotation of the ring B The latter is in connection with the transmitter P designed for coarse and fine adjustment, of an electric long distance wiring system leading to the elevating gear of the gun, which is provided at the gun with a receiver corresponding to the transmitter so that the gun-barrel can be adjusted in an angular position. in which the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel forms, with a plane normal to the swing axis of the carriage, the same angle as the axis of the pivots with a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the pedestal M. Therefore, when the gun has been adjusted in correspondence with the positions of the two transmitters N and P, the

axis of the bore of the gun-barrel is parallel to that of the pivots 9 On the Cardan ring G is mounted for free swinging motion a casing H by means of two pivots h rigidly connected to it and corresponding to the pivots h of the first embodiment, casing I-I corresponding to the casing H of the first embodiment and serving as a bearing member for a gyroscope J (Fig. 11). The axis of the pivots it passes at right angles through that of the pivots 9 The gyroscope J actuated by an electric motor (not shown) is rotatable in the casing H (Fig. 11) around an axis which, in a manner corresponding to that of the first embodiment, passes through the point of intersection of the pivots it and g and is normal to the axis of the pivots 7L6. One of the two pivots It is provided on its free end projecting beyond the intermediate Cardan member G with an arm .7L7 rigidly connected to it (see in particular Fig. 11), on which is fixed a sighting telescope Q for swinging motion around an axis parallel to that of the gyroscope J to allow for the lateral deviation of the projectiles, wind conditions or similar influences to be compensated for, as in the first embodiment. The sighting telescope Q has rigidly mounted on it a bevel wheel sector in mesh with a pinion R fixed on a shaft R mounted in and co-axial with the neighl'iouring pivot 7L6. The shaft R protrudes into the interior of the casing H and carries here on its free end a bevel wheel R in mesh with a companion bevel wheel S to be actuated by a small electric motor T. The shaft carrying the bevel wheel S of the electric motor T, which is fixed on a partition 7& (Fig. 11) of the gyroscope casing, is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the gyroscope J The control of the electric motor T takes place in a manner not shown, by the aid of a long distance controlling device from a special transmitter station.

The pivot h located on the side opposite the sighting telescope Q, is enlarged on its free end projecting beyond the Cardan ring G so as to form a disk 72 (Figs. 8 and 11) having a turned-out fiange. In this flange is mounted, for rotation, by means of a hollow pivot 76 a sector-shaped adjusting member K which corresponds to the adjusting member K K of the first embodiment and may rotate as in the first embodiment around the inner cardanic axis (here formed by the axis of pivot 7L6) of the cardanic mounting of the gyroscope casing. Vhile, however, in the first embodiment the adj usti ng member (K K can be adjusted rela tive to the Cardan ring (G), according to the range of the target, it is adapted here to be adjust-ed relatively to the gyroscope casing (H according to the range of the target. A small electric motor U (Figs. 8 and 11) serves for adjustment of the distance of the aim, the motor being so fixed, like the anotor T, within the gyroscope casing H on the partition 72. that its shaft extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the gyroscope J. The shaft of the motor U is positively connected, in a manner corresponding to that of the shaft of motor T, by a bevel gear with a shaft V mounted in and co-axial with the pivot h", the shaft V extending through the hollow pivot k and carrying Within the hollow space of the latter a pinion V This pinion is in mesh, by the aid of an intermediate pinion (Fig. 8) mounted on the disk It with inner teeth 7c of the hollow pivot k so that the adjusting member K and the gearing V V W, is actuated by the motor ll may have imparted to them the adj ustmentcorresponding to the range of the target relative to the gyroscope casing H the adjust ment being determined by the transmitter of a long distance controlling device of known design. (not shown). The adjustment is made by the motor U, which can be operated from the same transmitter station as the motor T by means of the said electric long distance controlling device. The sector-shaped adjusting member K is provided on its outer edge with a cylindrical flange, on the inner shell Surface of which is arranged an adjusting mark (Figs. 10 and 11) corresponding to the adjusting mark 70 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, an observing telescope G is fixedlyarranged on an arm rigidly fixed on the Cardan ring G the sighting line of the telescope passing at right angles through the axis of the pivots 71. A line g (Fig. 10) is situated in the sighting field of the telescope G which line corresponds to'the mark of the pointer h of the first embodiment and may be made to register with the adjusting mark in. This arrangement is so chosen, that the two marks and Z1 register with one another, when the adjusting member K adjusted relative to the gyroscope casing H, for instance, to zero range, and the Cardan ring G together with the observing telescope G have been turned (around the axis of the pivots h) into an angular position, in which the axis of the pivots g is parallel to the mean position of the sighting line of the sighting telescope Q mounted on the gyroscope casing. Finally, the adjusting member K and the arm {J are provided with contact pieces 72 and 9 (Fig. 5)) of an electric firing device.

\Vhen using the sighting device, the sighting telescope Q, mounted for free swinging motion on the pedestal M, is pointed in elevation at the target, after its lateral adjustment relative to the gyroscope casing has been performed with the aid of the electric motor T and the lateral direction toward the aim has been imparted to it by turning the hand-wheel E of the traversing gear of the pedestal M. Under the action of the gyroscope J permanently running during the pointing operation, the sighting line remains pointed at the aim independent of the rolling motion of the ship. The adjustment of the sighting device to the firing angle corresponding to the range of the target takes place by the motor U, which transmits to the adjusting member K and thus to mark 70 the adjustment determined by the transmitter of the motor through the intermediary of the gearing V V W, 0. As the shaft of the motor U is parallel to the axis of rotation of the gyroscope J the position of the gyroscope is not interfered with by the action of the masses of the rotating parts of the motor. The same holds good of the motor T. Now, if required, such an angular elevating position is imparted to the trunnion ring B by means of the gearing D D 11*, that with the rolling motion of the ship, causing within determined limits a change in the elevation of the pivots and of the Cardan ring G the mark partaking of the motion of the Cardan ring, of the observing telescope G is able to swing past the adjusting mark Z1 of the adjusting member K stabilized by the gyroscope. At that moment, when the two marks and 70 are opposite each other, the axis of the pivots possesses the elevation to be imparted to the bore of the gun-barrel. The gun, located away from the observing stand, is permanently adjusted during the described pointing operation according to the indications of the receivers connected with the transmitters N and P, so that the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel is parallel to the axis of the pivots g and is therefore correctly adjusted in elevation the instant the marks 9 and 70 are opposite each other. Therefore, when the gun is fired at that moment, the projectile leaves it at the correct angle. As the contact pieces and 74 constitnte adjusting marks, by which the elevation is determined, the marks 9 and 70 may under certain circumstances be dispensed with. The error in lateral direction due to the changing inclination of the horizontal trunnions is eliminated in the second embodiment as in the first one, and the same holds good of the error in elevation due to the inclination of the horizontal trunnions. The described embodiment also eliminates the errors which arise in the lateral direction and elevation by a change of the initial vclocity of the projectiles due to erosion of the gun-barrel, or to a difference of the levels in the gun station and the observing stand or to the lateral distance of the gun from the observing stand. To secure this end nothing is required other than the adjustment of the receivers, arranged on the gun, of the lon dis tance controlling device with suitable regulating means, so that, when the gun has been adj nsted according to the indications of the receivers, the bore of the gun-barrel deviates in lateral direction and elevation from the direction of the axis of the pivots g by a small angle that compensates for these errors.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a sighting device subjected to rocking movements comprising a frame rotatable around a normally vertical axis, an elevation member rotatable on said frame about an axis arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation of said frame, means for adjusting said member about its axis for elevation, a bearing member, a cardanic suspension for said bearing member having an intermediate member interposed between said bearing member and said elevation member, said intermediate member being rotatable relative to the elevation member about the outer cardanic axis arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation of the elevation member, said bearing member being rotatable relative to the intermediate member about the inner cardanic axis arranged at right angles to said outer axis, sighting means carried by said bearing member establishing a sighting line the main direction of which is at right angles to the inner cardanic axis, means for stabilizing the bearing member and thus the sighting line in space against elevational movements due to the rocking movements of the device, an index member rotatable about the inner cardanic axis relative to said bearing member and said intermediate member and means for adjusting said index member relative to one of said two members according to the firing angle corresponding to the range, the other of said two members carrying a corresponding index member adapted to register with said first-named index member.

2. In a sighting device subjected to rocking movements comprising a frame rotatable around a normally vertical axis, an elevation member rotatable on said frame about an axis arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation of said frame, means for adjusting said member about its axis for elevation, a bearing member, a cardanic suspension for said bearing member having an intermediate member interposed between said bearing member and said elevation member, said in-- due to the rocking movements of the device,

an index member rotatable about the inner cardanic axis relative to said bearing member and said intermediate member and means for adjusting said index member for range relative to said bearing member carrying the sighting means, said intermediate member of the cardanic suspension carrying a corresponding index member adapted to register with said first-named index member.

3. In a sighting device subjected to rocking movements comprising a frame rotatable around a normally vertical axis, an elevation member rotatable on said frame about an axis arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation of said frame, means for adjusting said member about its axis for elevation, a bearing member, a cardanic suspension for said bearing member having an intermediate member interposed between said bearing member and said elevation member, said intermediate member being rotatable relative to the elevation member about the outer cardanic axis arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation of the elevation member, said bearing member being rotatable relative to the intermediate member about the inner cardanic axis arranged at right angles to said outer axis, sighting means carried by said bearing member establishing a sight-ing line the main direction of which is at right angles to the inner cardanic axis z gyrosggp e rnountedto iLQlLfiQlQldQfPfiiiQflIllfilIlhGlt.carrying th e sighti ng ngans for;stabilizingthebearing find thus the sighting line in space levatiohalmovements due to the .n mci'v ements of the device, an index member rotatable about the inner cardanic axis relative to said bearing member and said intermediate member and means for adjusting said index member relative to one of said two members according to the firing angle corresponding to the range, the other of said two members carrying a corresponding index member adapted to register with said firstnamed index member.

4. In combination with a sighting device as set forth in claim 1, a small electric motor for adjusting the first-named index member for range.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 1, sighting means adjustable for lateral deflection, and a small electric motor for adjusting said sighting means.

6. In a sighting device according to claim 2, a small electric motor mounted on said bearing member for adjusting said firstnamed index member for range, the stabilizing means comprising a gyroscope mounted to rotate on said bearing member, the axes of said motor and said gyroscope being parallel.

7. A sighting device according to claim 3, in which said sighting means is adjustable for lateral deflection, an electric motor for adjusting said sighting means mounted on said bearing member and adapted to be controlled from a distant point, the axes of said motor and said gyroscope being parallel.

8. In combination with a sighting device as set forth in claim 1, an observing telescope mounted on said first-named index member and having in its sighting field an adjusting mark adapted to register with the other index member.

The foregoing signed at Cologne, Germany, this 1st day of July, 1927.

JULIUS BECKER. HEINRICH JUST HERMANN HORT, 

